Updated Opinion: Woodinville's Attractive Downtown Is Well Designed, Redmond Is Working On It

Image Credit:  "Next City"

A Redmond Blog reader says...

We live in "unincorporated Woodinville" and had the occasion to drive through downtown Redmond for the first time in a while. Holy cookie cutter, I haven't seen so many gray apartments lined up one after the other along a major thoroughfare, with almost no setback from the street for trees. Either the council or the Community Development department failed residents of the city. I'm not sure why every building has to look exactly the same with almost no character or distinguishing features? Housing was needed, yes - but downtown Redmond now feels soul-less. Gone are the days where you could grab cheap eats at Herfy's or Frankie's. Now you're stuck with expensive restaurants sitting in the first floor retail spaces of these apartment buildings, if they're lucky enough to be able to pay the rent these spaces charge. I get it - old strip malls are eyesores, but they often house popular businesses that would otherwise be unable to afford higher rent. On the other hand, I have been super impressed with what Woodinville has done with the schoolhouse district and Woodin Creek areas. It actually feels like it has character and it has adequate parking for the retail that's there. The Molbak's redevelopment seems encouraging and hopefully it can continue the trend in that area. That actually feels like a place I would want to live if I was single and wanted an apartment or if I wanted to downsize. Redmond does not.

-- Anonymous comment:  "City Salaries Under Review, Bonuses Unknown" post.

Videos of downtown Woodinville streetscape design to follow. by